Background

I began my nursing career as a licensed vocational nurse in 1996 and became a Registered Nurse in 2003 after completing my Associate of Science degree in Nursing at Ventura Community College. I received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from California State University, Northridge in 2011, a Master of Science in Nursing degree and Family Nurse Practitioner certificate from Western University of Health Sciences in 2014, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Frontier Nursing University in 2018. With my educational experience and passion for reproductive justice, health equity and perinatal mental health, I began specializing in caring for people experiencing Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) in 2017. Alongside other passionate professionals and volunteers I co-founded the Maternal Mental Health Coalition of Ventura County, providing education and awareness to healthcare providers and members of my community about PMADs and their sometimes devastating effects on families and our community at large. Through my work as a Family Nurse Practitioner I recognized a gap in availability of skilled reproductive psychiatric providers in my community and decided to expand my scope of practice by completing a post-doctoral Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate from Brandman University in 2021 to serve this need. 

Over the past 28 years as a nurse, I have practiced across a wide range of specialities, including in Neonatal Intensive Care, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Nephrology, Women's  Health and Mental Health.  In addition to my clinical practice, I have served as faculty in both undergraduate and graduate nursing education programs and I enjoy teaching the next generation of nurse leaders. I am also skilled in Quality Improvement and strive to constantly enhance my nursing practice by combining my client's experiences with care and the best, most up-to-date evidence for treatment available. I truly believe that the best approach toward caring for people who are struggling with emotional wellness is by being a humble and helpful clinician, listening to their needs and doing everything I can to assist them in regaining their balance, health and using their innate mana to heal.

I started Mana Mental Health because I'm passionate about helping every woman feel her best during the perinatal period. I also wanted to create a place for Kānaka Maoli wāhine living throughout Hawai'i & the Hawaiian Diaspora to be able to access care from an Indigenous healthcare provider with shared cultural values and ties. Although I specialize in caring for Native Hawaiian women experiencing Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders and mental health challenges during the menopausal transition, I also care for the entire community and welcome a partnership with all women in need of help and balance during these times.  I'm glad you're here and I'm looking forward to working together!

2015- Certified Lactation Counselor 5 day training course. 

2018- Maternal Mental Health Certificate Training: Postpartum Support International & 2020 Mom

2021- Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychopharmacology Training: Postpartum Support International

2022- Perinatal Psychiatry: In-Depth Modules for Enhanced Approaches: Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy

2022- Lactation Education Resources: 20 L-CERPs and Continuing Education Hours in lactation

2022- Interpersonal Psychotherapy Institute: Level A: IPT Perinatal Course

2022- Perinatal Mental Health Advanced Psychopharmacology Training: Postpartum Support International

2023-Reproductive & Integrative Psychiatry Fellowship: Conducted by Anna Glezer, MD. 

2024- Basic Accelerated Resolution Therapy Certification

Published Media or Teaching Materials: 

Lanuza, K., & Butler, J. (2021). Implementing a safety bundle to improve screening and care for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Nursing for Women’s Health, 25 (4), 264-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2021.05.004

Lanuza, K. (2018). Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder perinatal provider toolkit: An evidence based guide & resources for perinatal providers. Maternal Mental Health Coalition of Ventura County. 

Lanuza, K., Andric, K., & Stepler, P. (2017). Peer facilitated PMAD support group toolkit Maternal Mental Health Coalition of Ventura County. 

Abstract: 

Lanuza, K., & Gonzalez, J. (2018, December). A multi-disciplinary, community approach to decrease the stigma surrounding maternal mental health disorders in Ventura County. CSUCI SURF Faculty Projects. https://www.csuci.edu/studentresearch/opportunities/surf-summer-research/faculty-projects-summer-18.htm

Presentations: 

Invited: 

Lanuza, K. (2023, Nov.). Perinatal support of Washington: Medication module. 

Lanuza, K. (2023, Feb.) "Native Hawaiian and Pasifika Perinatal Mental Health.” Mom and Mind Posdcast. https://wellmindperinatal.com/257-native-hawaiian-and-pasifika-perinatal-mental-health/

Lanuza, K. (2021, Nov.). Maternal mental health, motherhood & civic engagement in Native Hawaiian mākuahine: University of California Santa Barbara, CA: Asian American Studies Department (Presentation)

Lanuza, K. (2021, Sep.). Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders: Overview and Resources for Registered Nurses. California State University Channel Islands, CA: Nursing Department (Presentation)

Lanuza, K. (2019, Sep.). It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood: A community approach to improving perinatal mental health. Empower 2019: Nurse Midwives Improving Patient Care Through Teamwork; Frontier Nursing University Virtual Event. Hyden, Kentucky (Presentation)

Lanuza, K. (2018, Nov.). Mental health, motherhood and civic engagement: Excerpts from the Haumea report: University of California Los Angeles, CA: Asian American Studies Department (Presentation)

Lanuza, K., & Andric, K. (2018, March). Implementation of Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder screening in the pediatric setting. Dignity Health. Oxnard, CA. (Presentation)

Refereed: 

Lanuza, K. (2018, Dec.). Improving effective maternal mental healthcare in an obstetric setting: Postpartum Support International. Portland, OR (Poster)

Christianson, B., & Lanuza, K. (2019). Advocacy in action: A community approach to improve college campus breastfeeding support. California Breastfeeding Coalition: Annual Conference, Garden Grove, CA (Poster)

Lanuza, K. (2018, Dec.). Implementation of a safety bundle to improve effective maternal Mental healthcare in an obstetric setting: Institutes for Healthcare Improvement; National Forum, Orlando, FLA (Poster)